NBA

AP Sports WriterWilliams hoping to give Suns some needed stabilityBy JOHN MARSHALLPHOENIX (AP) The Phoenix Suns have gone through coaches like tear-away racing visors, the count up to five in five years.The instability has hurt them on the court, the run of playoff-less appearances stretching to nine straight...

Gobert, George, Giannis headline NBA All-Defensive teamsNEW YORK (AP) Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and MVP finalists Giannis Antetokounmpo and Paul George were the leading vote-getters for the All-Defensive first team.Boston's Marcus Smart and Milwaukee's Eric Bledsoe rounded out the first team that was announced Wednesday.Gobert...

AP Sports WriterBucks need better bench play to regain control vs RaptorsBy KEITH JENKINSMILWAUKEE (AP) The Bucks are back in Milwaukee looking to regain momentum in the Eastern Conference finals.Coach Mike Budenholzer believes the play of his bench will be a major factor in what happens in Game...

AP Sports WriterTrail Blazers' cohesiveness helped them to conference finalsBy ANNE M. PETERSONPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) The Portland Trail Blazers faced a number of challenges on the journey to their first Western Conference finals in 19 years.But there was one they couldn't overcome: The Golden State Warriors.Portland's run in...

AP Sports WriterWolves turn to Saunders to help lead franchise modernizationBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Three decades after their entry into the NBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves have deployed an aggressive plan to modernize their operation.What better way, they concluded, than to hire the youngest head coach in the league?Ryan...

AP Sports WriterConnelly eager to finish what he started with NuggetsBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) The prospects of a return home to Washington were undeniably appealing to Tim Connelly.Not nearly as alluring as this: Finishing what he's started.The Denver Nuggets president of basketball operations elected to stay in town...

AP Sports WriterRenaissance man: Beilein ready to breathe new life into CavsBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) High on a wall and across the courts from where John Beilein was sitting, the Cavaliers' basketball history stared the new coach in the face.He wants to make it richer.''Look at all...

AP Sports WriterGriffin touts new Pelicans hires as Davis decision loomsBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) Pelicans basketball operations chief David Griffin asserted Tuesday that luring new general manager Trajan Langdon away from a playoff team in Brooklyn is an example of positive momentum in New Orleans that should...

Doncic, Young unanimous NBA All-Rookie 1st-teamersNEW YORK (AP) With Dallas' Luka Doncic and Atlanta's Trae Young leading the way, the top five NBA draft picks from 2018 have been selected as the top five NBA rookies this season.Doncic and Young were unanimous first-team selections for the NBA All-Rookie...

AP Sports WriterRenaissance man: Beilein ready to breathe new life into CavsBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) High on a wall and across the courts from where John Beilein was sitting, the Cavaliers' basketball history stared the new coach in the face.He wants to make it richer.''Look at all...

Doncic, Young unanimous NBA All-Rookie first-teamersNEW YORK (AP) Dallas' Luka Doncic and Atlanta's Trae Young are unanimous first-team selections for the NBA All-Rookie team.Phoenix's Deandre Ayton, Memphis' Jaren Jackson and Sacramento's Marvin Bagley III are also on the first team, which was announced Tuesday. It was chosen by...

AP Sports WriterBeilein ready to undertake 'renaissance' with CavaliersBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) John Beilein has coached at every level in college but says the Cleveland Cavaliers are his dream job.The 66-year-old Beilein, who turned Michigan into a perennial power during a 12-year run, was introduced Tuesday by...